Dysbiosis: Microbial Imbalance Inside the Body

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What Is Dysbiosis?

What is dysbiosis? Dysbiosis is a term for a microbial imbalance that most often affects a person’s gut, or intestinal tract.

Dysbiosis is also sometimes called dysbacteriosis or bacterial dysbiosis. That is because the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) contains both “good” and “bad” bacteria to form the gut flora—also called the gut microbiota.

But, other tiny organisms also reside in the gastrointestinal tract, including yeast, fungus, viruses, and parasites.

That being said, dysbiosis can also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, ears, nose, sinuses, nails, and vagina.

The dysbiosis pronunciation is “diss-bi-osis.” Russian-born microbiologist and zoologist, Dr. Elie Metchnikoff, would first coin the term in the 20th century.
Dr. Metchnikoff is the first scientist to discover the impact of the properties of probiotics—also known as that “good bacteria.” The terms “dys” and “symbiosis” translate to “not living in harmony.”

Link between the Digestive System and Dysbiosis

The gut, or GI tract, has three major roles: the absorption of nutrients, the digestion of foods while converting food into vitamins, and the prevention of toxins and pathogens from entering your body. There are approximately 500 species of bacteria that make up “the gut flora.”

When the gut flora is balanced, it is called “orthobiosis,” which again is a term introduced by Dr. Metchnikoff in the early 1900s. He considered dysbiosis so serious that he also said, “Death begins in the gut.”

The issue here is that not all of the friendly organisms in the gut flora are “friendly.” In fact, when there is an overgrowth of bacteria, parasites, fungus, yeast, or other organisms, it can lead to dysbiosis.

Common bacterial dysbiosis causes include E. coli (Escherichia coli), H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori), and Clostridium difficile. Parasitic dysbiosis may be caused by protozoa, tapeworms, flukes, and other parasites. Fungal dysbiosis can be caused by a number of Candida species, especially Candida albicans.

Having too many of these intestinal pathogens can prevent you from digesting your food properly. As a result, food will ferment and putrefy, and the bad bacteria will grow and multiply.

This will lead to intestinal inflammation, which damages the lining of your gut. This then contributes to chronic digestive diseases, including SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), irritable bowel disease, and candida overgrowth.

Moreover, since around 80% of your immune system resides in the gut, bacterial overgrowth can lead to many more health issues, including mood disorders, skin problems, severe infections, bladder problems, and nervous system problems.

Keep in mind, though, that the body requires a balance between good and bad bacteria. In general, the bad bacteria are not a problem as long as you maintain an adequate number of good bacteria as well.

Good bacteria will have names that begin with Bifidobacillus, Lactobacillus, and Bacillus. Examples include Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bacillus subtilis.

Digestive experts believe that the ideal balance of gut bacteria should be about 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria.

What Causes Dysbiosis?

In general, women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with a digestive disorder than men. In the U.S., it is estimated that over 30 million people suffer from an imbalance in the GI tract.

However, that number is probably a lot higher considering that there are so many potential causes of gut dysbiosis. The following are some of the dysbiosis causes:

Antibiotic use: Every time antibiotics are taken, they kill all the bacteria—even the “good” kind. Overprescribing antibiotics will also cause antibiotic resistance, which means the antibiotics don’t only kill the “good bacteria,” but they may not even help in cases of bacterial infections. Amoxicillin dysbiosis, for example, can result from a course of the antibiotic amoxicillin. Other popular antibiotics in the U.S. include moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin.

Use of other drugs: Proton-pump inhibitors and antacids are designed to block hydrochloric acid production in the stomach, but that acid is the first line of defense against microbes that enter the body with food. When that acid is blocked, the body no longer defends against the “bad microbes.” The overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) also inhibits the growth of the “good bacteria.”

Fermentation: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a carbohydrate intolerance condition induced by bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, large intestine, and stomach. Any carbohydrate will be fermented by the “bad bacteria” and produce toxic waste products as a result.

Chronic stress: Chronic stress will increase hormone levels, and this also highly impairs the immune system, which creates an environment in the GI tract that is susceptible to dysbiosis.

Poor diet: A poor diet is another major factor in dysbiosis. Low-fiber diets, high-fat and high-protein diets, and diets high in sugar and processed foods can slow down gut motility, and also often lack nutrients necessary to nourish and repair the digestive organs, including the GI tract. Candida is a type of yeast that lives off sugar and processed foods, which highly disturb the balance of organisms in the body. Gluten sensitivity is also a factor in dysbiosis.

Environmental factors: Environmental factors that influence dysbiosis include contaminated food and water, exposure to manufactured chemicals like pesticides or toxic metals, the presence of fungus or mold in the home, and living in a foggy or damp climate.

Some other causes: Consumption of more than two drinks daily may also lead to the overgrowth of bad bacteria. Additionally, poor dental hygiene can cause an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the mouth. Having unprotected sex can also expose you to bad bacteria that may overtake beneficial populations.

Signs and Symptoms of Dysbiosis

The most common signs and symptoms of dysbiosis include recurring digestive issues such as chronic diarrhea, heartburn, chronic constipation, bloating, belching, abdominal pain, frequent indigestion, bad breath, foul-smelling stools, undigested food in the stool, or nausea after taking supplements

Some other symptoms are:

Weight loss due to malabsorption, or weight gain

Food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances

Sugar cravings, including alcohol

Rectal or vaginal itching

Weak or cracked fingernails

Iron deficiency

Loss of libido and infertility

Chronic sinus congestion

Bladder problems like interstitial cystitis, difficulty in urination

Hyperactivity like behavioral and learning disorders

Mental fog

Other Health Conditions Associated with Dysbiosis

Gut dysbiosis can lead to bowel and intestinal lining changes, which then increase the permeability of the intestine. This results in leaky gut syndrome—also called increased intestinal permeability.

Basically, the lining of the intestines and bowel loses its integrity, which opens the door to parasites, viruses, bacteria, and also undigested food molecules. The aggravated immune system will also become unstable, and may attack the body and even lead to autoimmune diseases.

In addition, a skin rash from dysbiosis can occur due to exposure to harmful bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, for example, can cause a staph infection, and lead to symptoms like swelling, redness, and pain.

The following are some of the other conditions associated with gut dysbiosis:

Complications of Dysbiosis

There are various complications of gut dysbiosis. Here is a deeper look at some of the complications and conditions that may result from dysbiosis:

Atopic eczema: Skin conditions are a common result of dysbiosis, but atopic eczema is especially prevalent. Most atopic eczema patients have malabsorption and intestinal dysbiosis.

Candida:Candida is the condition where fungus and yeast will grow out of control, and lead to certain debilitating symptoms like persistent fatigue, muscle pain, constipation, and rectal itching.

Irritable bowel syndrome: Various studies have found that IBS patients have a greater likelihood of having abnormal fecal flora.

Other possible dysbiosis complications: When dysbiosis is left untreated, it can lead to severe fungal infections, and even increase the risk of cancer.

Dysbiosis Diagnosis Tests

Dysbiosis is often suspected when the patients have a food intolerance or allergy; unexplained fatigue; malnutrition; neuropsychiatric symptoms; breast or colon cancer; or inflammatory, autoimmune, or gastrointestinal disorders.

You should also seek help if you regularly experience lots of digestive problems, like gas, bloating, or diarrhea. The most useful diagnostic dysbiosis test is called a comprehensive digestive stool analysis (CDSA).

The CDSA will include a number of procedures, such as biochemical evaluations of digestion, evaluation of bacterial microflora, detection of abnormal mycology, evaluation of intestinal absorption, and the detection of metabolic markers of intestinal metabolism.

From these tests, excessive triglycerides, meat, vegetable fibers, fatty acids, or cholesterol may indicate gut dysbiosis. Severe dysbiosis cases may also result in abnormal blood tests that indicate low levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid, and malabsorption of proteins.

Other tests used for dysbiosis include the breath hydrogen test, candida testing, the Genova IP test for leaky gut, u-biome tests to offer a bigger picture of the bacteria in the body, and zonulin testing. Zonulin is a protein that is commonly implicated in leaky gut syndrome, and levels will often be high.

Natural Treatment Option for Dysbiosis

In general, dysbiosis symptoms and treatment go hand in hand. This means that the dysbiosis treatment should be based on a person’s symptoms and conditions.

The first step in the treatment of dysbiosis is the removal of various aggravating factors like antibiotics, other drugs, and certain dietary factors that may be the cause of the bacterial or organism overgrowth. Some drugs used in a dysbiosis treatment may include rifaximin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, or co-trimoxazole.

However, there are also several remedies used in a natural dysbiosis treatment that may be useful as well. Here are some natural remedies and treatments that should find a home in your medicine cabinet:

1. Probiotics: A high-potency probiotic is essential for the restoration of the bacterial population in the gut. The dosage of probiotic will depend mostly on the severity of your gut dysbiosis. Most high-quality probiotic supplements will contain lactobacillus, Saccharomyces boulardii, bifidobacterium, and a combination of other probiotic species.

2. Prebiotics:Prebiotics are thought to stimulate the activity and growth of probiotics in the gut. That is why it is a good idea to also take supplements with prebiotics like fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, larch arabinogalactans, modified citrus pectin, and high-soluble fiber like psyllium husk.

4. Essential oils: A study published in the journal Alternative Medicine Review in 2009 found that the most promising essential oils for dysbiosis include caraway, lavender, ajwain, and bitter orange. The herbs that make these oils have long been used for gastrointestinal symptoms, and results of the study suggest that they will not negatively impact the gut flora.

Other essential oils found to have a positive impact on the GI tract include sweet fennel, star anise, and peppermint.

5. Homeopathic remedies: There are various homeopathic remedies used to benefit the digestive system. For instance, candida albicans is a homeopathic preparation that is useful when candida overgrowth is a contributing factor to gut dysbiosis. Other remedies recommended for inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract include cantharis, arsenicum album, colocynthis, carbo vegetabilis, nux vomica, china, and pulsatilla.

Can a Dysbiosis Cleanse Help?

What could be a cure for dysbiosis? A dysbiosis cleanse, such as a parasite cleanse or candida cleanse, may help clear unwanted parasites, fungus, or yeast from your digestive tract.

However, it is best to work with a qualified natural health practitioner, like a holistic nutritionist or naturopathic doctor, with specific training in cleanses. This is because if you perform a cleanse too soon, or without professional guidance, you may make your problem worse.

Some herbs in a cleanse may also affect medications. Therefore, you must inform your practitioner of what drugs you use before trying a dysbiosis cleanse.

A cleanse should be performed after you have improved your diet, added probiotics and prebiotics from food and supplements, and begun to improve your daily habits, such as changing your overall attitude and belief systems, increasing your exercise and movement, and improving your sleep habits and reducing your stress levels.

This way your body is ready to handle the stress of certain foods and supplements designed to repair your gut.

The following are a few things to know about a parasite cleanse and candida cleanse.

A parasite cleanse: There are a number of variations of a parasite cleanse. Various supplements that may be included are black walnut, wormwood, oregano oil, clove oil, olive leaf, thyme leaf, and grapefruit seed extract. An anti-parasite diet will be similar to a Paleo diet, excluding all grains and all sugar.

Top foods in the diet include pumpkin seed oil, papaya juice, coconut oil, garlic and onions, and probiotic-rich foods like sauerkraut or kimchi.

A candida cleanse: There are also variations of a candida cleanse that have many of the same recommendations as a parasite cleanse, including eliminating all grains, sugars, fruits, starches, and alcohol from your diet. It might also include similar supplements to those mentioned above.

Avoid alcohol or extremely limit your intake to once every few months. All forms of alcohol contain acetaldehyde, yeast, and other ingredients that harm the balance of bacteria and other organisms in the GI tract.

Avoid antibiotics, and other drugs like proton-pump inhibitors, antacids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). All of these drugs inhibit the growth of “good” bacteria in the GI tract and rest of the body.

Lifestyle Changes for Dysbiosis

There are also various lifestyle changes that can be made to help prevent and treat intestinal dysbiosis symptoms. The following are some changes you can make to improve the balance of bacteria in the GI tract:

Massage therapy and aromatherapy: Stress is a major factor in the development of dysbiosis. Massage therapy can help reduce stress and support detoxification for those undergoing treatment for chronic cases of candida or dysbiosis. Some of the best essential oils used during the massage include lavender, peppermint, and myrrh.

Dental hygiene: Organism and bacterial overgrowth can certainly occur in the mouth. That is why it is important to maintain good dental hygiene, like brushing your gums and teeth twice a day minimum. After brushing, also use a tongue scrapper and antibacterial essential oil mouthwash.

Other relaxation methods: Other ways to reduce stress related with gut dysbiosis include acupuncture, yoga, exercise, or meditation.

Dysbiosis: Key Points to Remember

It is important to remember that what you put into your body can have a major impact on your GI tract and your gut bacteria. Also, dysbiosis can occur at other parts of the body besides the gut.

Candida and dysbiosis can also spread through sexual intercourse. That is why both partners should be treated when dysbiosis, candida, or other bacterial infection is suspected. Also, healing dysbiosis is very individual and what may work for one person may not work for another.

It is important to work with a natural health practitioner like a naturopathic doctor or holistic nutritionist that specializes in candida or dysbiosis treatment.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.